Relays - Maytag MDE17CS Service Manual

Disconnect power before servicing.
Replace all parts and panels before operating.
Failure to do so can result in death or electrical shock.
A relay is made up of two circuits. One
delivers power to the relay coil. With power
to the coil or electromagnet, the armature
is attracted to the contact point, and upon
contact the armature completes the circuit.
The second is the completed circuit through
the armature, which allows the current to
flow freely, activating whatever device the
relay is designed to operate. When the power
to the coil or electromagnet is turned off,
the electromagnet loses power and stops
attracting the armature. The spring pulls the
armature away, and it is released from the
contact point, and the second circuit opens.
1. Unplug dryer or disconnect power.
2. Turn off gas supply to dryer.
3. Set ohmmeter to the R X 1 scale.
Set digital ohmmeters to lowest scale.
4. To access a door switch relay see page 4-2
or for stack dryers see page 4-52.
5. To access a motor relay see page 4-53.
6. To access a heater relay see page 4-53.
Electrical Shock Hazard

rElaYS

7. Disconnect the wire connectors from the
relay terminals.
8. Touch the ohmmeter test leads to the
connector pins for the coil. The meter
should indicate continuity (0 Ω).
9. If there is no continuity across the coil, the
relay needs to be replaced.
10. If continuity is present, check if the
contacts are opening and closing.
NOTE: With the relay energized, a normally
open (NO) set of contacts will close and
show continuity (0 Ω) across those contacts.
With a normally closed (NC) contact an
energized coil will cause the contacts to
open and indicate an open circuit (infinite
Ω). A single relay can have multiple sets of
contacts that will open or close as directed
by its NO or NC contacts.
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